Is Jon Jones the best pound-for-pound fighter?

Kevin Richardson

It’s time to move UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones to the top of the list as the top MMA pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva currently holds that distinction. It’s no argument that he has clearly dominated mixed martial arts since 2006. He has the record for the most consecutive title defenses (10) as well as the UFC record for most consecutive wins (15). He has dominated his weight class with his striking accuracy, knockout power and superior performances.

Silva moved into the top spot in 2010, after then pound-for-pound top fighter Fedor Emelianenko lost to Fabricio Werdum by submission in just 69 seconds.

At that time Emelianenko was considered by many the best fighter of all-time in mixed martial arts. That title was also transitioned to Silva, he clearly holds that distinction.

Now here’s why I no longer considered him the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world today and why Jon “Bones” Jones is that guy.

Anderson Silva has fought a total of 3 fights since 2011. Vitor Belfort a former lightweight champion, Yuskin Okami (never held a championship belt) and Chael Sonnen who has a 5-5 record in the UFC.

Jon Jones fought a total of six fights since 2011. Five opponents were former UFC champions and the sixth was light heavyweight Ryan Bader, who at the time was an undefeated (12-0) fighter before losing to Jones.

Mauricio “Shogun” Rua lost to Jones by TKO (punches and knees). He was the UFC light-heavyweight champion and former Pride Grand Prix middleweight champion. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson was a former UFC light heavyweight who was submitted for the first time in 10 years by Jones in the fourth round.

Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida was a former UFC light-heavyweight champion submitted for the first time in his career by Jones in the second round.

Rashad Evans is also a former UFC light-heavyweight champion and heavyweight winner of The Ultimate Fighter 2. Jones dominated Evans for a unanimous decision.

Belfort was a former UFC light-heavyweight champion who also succumbed to submission for the first time since 2005.

Before his fight with Jones, Belfort appeared on Fuel TV’s UFC Tonight and said, “Here I am 35-years-old, 17 years into my career, fighting the best fighter of all-time, in the history of the UFC, a guy who’s the best athlete in MMA.” This was coming from a fighter that has seen both guys in the cage.

I’m not saying Silva has lost a step or his skills have diminished.

It’s that Jon Jones has fought better competition and has dominated every top fighter in his division. He’s doing things that other fighters are trying to emulate in the cage. No other fighter has every fought and defeated that many ex-champions and top contenders in that short of time.

He is only 25 years old and clearly the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.